George Colony's Blog:

This blog, written by Forrester CEO George Colony, contains ideas, observations, and analyses to help drive the success of other CEOs. George’s goal is to assist today’s company leaders in forming unique approaches to the challenges they face.George’s bio | George on Twitter

Although I consider myself an avid Dead fan, and have since '75 or so, I am still giving the overall nod to the ABB. Just today, I was listening to the Fillmore release while running -- and that disk stands up over time. Simply the best.That being said, I do think that the *informed* Dead bashers base most of their disdain/dismissal of the band on later (say, post-'87 performances) as well as the stubborn black eye dealt to the band by its unwashed, cultish fan base. But, again, listen to some of the '73 Winterland stuff, anything from '74 & '77, early '80s nuggets, and most of '87 (what I call the "last best year") and you'll hear some fine musicianship, inspired jams, and an eclectic mix of American music.Oh, and I just pre-ordered Allman Brothers tickets for an August show in NH. The Brothers endure!

You just have to accept that your US iconic musicians were not bands but individuals. None of those bands, although many are great, match the Beatles, Stones, Who or Led Zep. But Holly, Berry, Hendrix, Dylan and Presley certainly do.

Lou Reed (co-founder of the Velvet Underground, America's best band) had this to say about the Dead: "We had vast objections to the whole San Francisco scene. It's just tedious, a lie and untalented. They can't play and they certainly can't write... You know, people like...[the] Grateful Dead are just the most untalented bores that ever came up. Just look at them physically...It's a joke! It's a joke! The kids are being hyped."I'm with Lou. The Allmans are admittedly awesome, though. No argument there.

GEORGE! I happened to come across this when my mom had me look up some article on ping pong about you. I'm gonna have to agree with you on the Allmans although I strongly believe Phish is right up there with them. I know you hate Phish but I have to show you a DVD documentary that will hopefully change your mind. If its possible you can cast my vote for Phish and the Allmans. I gotta come by your house soon maybe this weekend and we have to go to an Allman Brothers show this summer before Gregg goes. I'll call Charlie this weekend, Nicks coming home tomorrow, good luck on Allmans.

THE DOORSThere are some people who don't like The Doors. Those People Are Strange.Mr. Mojo Risin' may have fallen to his demise in a French bathtub, but he led the band that personified the American Rock Revolution. And you can trust me on this -- after all, I was born in 1983.When I went to France during college, a friend and I left the Palace of Versailles early just so we could meander our way to the Père Lachaise Cemetary and find Jim Morrison's grave. It was a painstaking process -- but well worth it. Again, I was born 12 years after this man died, and this was still important to me.I'll leave with this...I see this blog is burning,Opinions fueled with fire,If they say The Doors don't deserve their due,You know they are a liar...

As a last offering, I must submit Talking Heads for consideration, as they were far better than a lot of bands on the list.And, regarding Corey's sharing of Lou Reed's impressions of the Dead: It's always entertaining when one bad vocalist/heroin junkie rips another bad vocalist/heroin junkie. Good times. At least Garcia never went on stage in mascara and eye liner.

The game changed so much in 1976 with the Ramones, that for me you have to look pre- and post- Ramones.Pre-Ramones, you have the Beach Boys, Doors, the Allmans, Aerosmith, the E Street band and the Dead all vying it out. If you look at influence, I think it gets narrowed down the the Dead, the Allmans and the Beach Boys.Then in 1976, along come the Ramones who were trying to write pop songs albeit it at a faster speed than anyone else. The music snobs (self included) will usually go back to the beginning of the 70s and reference the Velvets, the Dolls, the MC5, and the Stooges, but let's stay focused.For me at the end of the day, it's the Replacements. They combine the best of classic rock and the pop sensibilities of the Beach Boys with the energy and spirit of punk.It's probably too early to put them in the pantheon, but give them a few more years, and you can add the Hold Steady to this debate.

Comment from MM-saw ABB show at Fox last night (not verified) on Thu, 05/14/2009 - 13:36

Bump Wilco to #2, based on recent CDs. Bump CCR to #3, purely on the timeless nature of John's songs. Drop Rush (they're Canadian). Clutch?? Were you trying to see if anyone was reading?What about Smithereens? Otherwise, your list is approved :)